GENERAL ITINERARY
This may change according to weather and unforeseen circumstances.
On a typical day we will paint on the grounds of La Muse or around the village. Troods will provide demonstrations during morning sessions and afternoons provide opportunities to apply your learnings. Painting into the early evening hours allows you to take full advantage of the wonderful clarity and warmth of the French light.
Although the itinerary looks very busy, we do stress that anyone wanting to take time out to relax or do an independent activity – please feel free to do so!
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Dinner
- Arrival: Guests arrive at La Muse by 6pm. Take some time to settle into your accommodations and explore the beautiful surroundings. If you purchase the Ride Package you will be picked up from Carcassonne train station or airport and then taken food shopping on your way (45 minutes) to La Muse. Ride Package Details cost: 100 euros.
- Welcome Dinner: 7:00 PM. Enjoy a delicious, locally sourced meal together, meet Troods and talk about the week’s schedule, creative themes, and what to expect.
Day 2: Finding Inspiration in the Landscape
Morning:
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Creative Energy Flow Activity (optional).
- 11:00 AM – Village tour.
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Troods will discuss how to choose your location and then demonstrate how to create a pleasing composition.
Afternoon:
- 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Solo painting, time to apply what you learned during today’s lesson. Troods will be available for one-on-one guidance based on her earlier demonstration. Choose a scene from the gardens, fields, or nearby trails.
Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Appetizers and wine or soda on the Terrace.
- Relax or join a casual Doodling Session on the (paper) tablecloth.
Day 3: Capturing Texture and Detail
Morning:
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Creative Energy Flow Activity (optional).
- Grocery truck usually comes to the village today.
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM: Troods demonstrates different tools and techniques she uses to capture texture—trees, grass, rocks, and water.
Afternoon:
- 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Solo painting time to apply the techniques taught this morning with an optional guided walk to find unique textures to paint.
Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Appetizers and wine or soda on the Terrace.
- 8:00 PM – 930 PM: Creativity Meditation (a guided visual and somatic journey to practice creating without judgment of outcome).
- 9:30 PM – 10 PM: Option to share and discuss results.
Day 4: Experimenting with Light and Shadow
Morning:
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Creative Energy Flow Activity (optional).
- Butcher truck usually comes to the village today
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Troods demonstrates how to capture light and shadow.
Afternoon:
- 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Paint a village street scene incorporating the afternoon light and shadows. Troods will provide feedback and suggestions during open painting time.
Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Appetizers and wine or soda on the Terrace.
- 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM: Nocturne painting of the same scene you did this afternoon, now in moonlight. Self-guided.
Day 5: Free Day
- Bakery truck usually comes to the village today.
- Forest bathe, cook, hike, sketch, paint, travel, or relax.
Day 6: Creative Exploration
Morning:
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Creative Energy Flow Activity (optional),
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Today is about experimentation. Troods demonstrates a new style. Whether abstract, impressionistic, or naturalistic, this is your day to push boundaries.
Afternoon:
- Lunch: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Walk to Sire de Caberet for a delicious meal followed by a sketching/painting session in the picturesque village of Roquefere – a storybook village bursting with painting/sketching options. The meal is optional, and not included in the workshop fee. Feel free to enjoy the area without the restaurant experience. While there, be sure to purchase the local honey, too. Walk back to La Muse.
Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Appetizers and wine or soda on the terrace, share your challenges and breakthroughs.
- 8:00 PM – 10:00 -PM: Create an abstract piece using your supplies or something found in the atelier.
Day 7: Final Projects and Reflection
Morning:
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Creative Energy Flow Activity (optional).
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Work on your final piece or add finishing touches to previous works. Troods will provide personalized instruction to help you prepare for the informal showcase.
Afternoon:
- 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Final painting session. Display your pieces for the evening’s celebration.
Evening:
- 7:00 PM: Art Showcase in the atelier. Each participant shares their favorite works from the week, celebrating everyone’s progress and creativity. Wine or soda and cheese reception.
Day 8: Departure
Morning:
- 10:00 AM: Checkout and farewells.
Meals:
A 3-course Welcome Dinner and then daily “aperitifs” (2 glasses of wine or soft drink and appetizers) are included. All other meals and drinks are independent. Most residents find the appetizers sufficient for a light dinner. Side trips to restaurants are not included in the workshop fee.
Art supplies:
- Bring your own supplies and plein air equipment. Don’t forget a sketchbook! You are responsible for carrying everything so plan accordingly. The atelier has some studio easels and limited left-over supplies from previous travelers. There’s an art supplies shop in Carcassonne: here
- We cannot guarantee delivery but if you want to order your supplies and have them delivered directly to La Muse, they recommend this store and Amazon
- For ease of travel, we suggest using smaller canvas/panels (up to 14”) Feel free to work larger if you can manage them.
- If you will be painting at night, bring your own light source such as a clip-on book light and/or a headlamp.
- You can work in a sketchbook or paper on a board if you don’t want to use an easel.
The morning Creative Energy Flow Activity is optional but highly recommended to loosen up and let things flow prior to painting. Some examples are silent intuitive drawing, an energy walk, grounding, guided meditation, or yoga. TBD. Creative energy = healing energy!
For more information, please visit Lamuseretreat.com or email Patricianolanbrown@gmail.com
To book your room, please check our offer here: lamuseretreat.com/rooms
Click to view Troods’ portfolio.
Troods
I’ve been an artist since childhood with a need to create things. I studied painting and design at Framingham State University under James Eng and Arthur B. Mazmanian where I received a B.A. in art. I founded two successful graphic design companies shortly after graduating. I’ve used my creative brain over the years to launch many inventions and publish a book about the creative process called, Idea to Invention. I feel blessed to paint full-time in my studio #493 at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts in Lowell, MA. My paintings are collected internationally including the permanent collection at Galerie Diderot in France. I’m inspired to interpret and paint things I love such as travel, nature, and all things quirky. I work (mostly) with oils in an expressive impasto style. I always
greet my canvas with an intention for it to reach whomever it’s meant for. I am the messenger, and this feeds my soul. My artist name is: Troods.